Protect Your Smile by Drinking with a Straw

Keeping your smile healthy and beautiful requires certain habits. By regularly brushing and flossing, you can maintain good oral health and protect your teeth from tooth decay. Additionally, choosing nutrient-rich foods to eat and regularly vising your dentist for checkups can help you maintain excellent oral health. However, there is another easy habit you can practice that will further protect your smile—using a straw when you drink certain beverages! Read on to learn why this simple act can help positively impact your teeth.

How Drinking with a Straw Protects Your Smile

Your teeth are constantly exposed to the drinks that you consume. Other than water, they can have an impact on your oral health. If you regularly enjoy coffee, wine, soda, fruit juice, and sports drinks, your smile is put a risk of not only becoming stained but oral health issues. By using a straw, you can protect your pearly whites from:

Discoloration

Many drinks, such as fruit juice and sports drinks, contain coloring additives. These chemicals can easily darken your teeth and cause discoloration. By drinking any colorful beverage with a straw, you can not only keep your smile bright but keep it safe from any damaging additives. 

Eroded Enamel

One of the most damaging things for teeth is acid, which is in many beverages—especially soda. Enamel is the thin covering of your teeth that keeps them white and protects them from harmful substances. While it is incredibly strong, it can get worn away, especially from constant exposure to acid. It can easily erode your enamel and leave your pearly whites exposed to the increased risk of bad bacteria, tooth decay, and sensitivity. If you use a straw, you can still enjoy your favorite acidic beverages and protect

your teeth.

Cavities 

Cavities are permanently damaged areas in the hard surfaces of your teeth, which eventually cause small holes. Also known as tooth decay, cavities are caused by a range of factors, but a lack of enamel and drinking sugary or acidic liquids are major contributors. Straws can keep the exposure of these cavity-causing issues to a minimum.

What Are the Best Types of Straws to Use?

Back in the day, plastic straws were the only option. However, they aren’t biodegradable and aren’t accepted by most recycling programs. Now, there are more environmentally-friendly choices such as paper or silicone straws. By choosing the silicone option, you can wash and reuse it, which benefits the planet and your smile.

In addition to your oral hygiene routine and visiting your dentist every six months, using a straw for your beverages can add extra protection to your smile. Cheers to that!

About the Practice

Vollo Dental Group keeps the smiles of Rochester whole and healthy through the expertise of its two dentists. They offer a wide range of dental services, including preventive, restorative, and cosmetic care. With the use of advanced dental technology and personalized plans, they can help you with any oral health issue, as well as protect it from future ones. To schedule an appointment, contact them through their website or call (585) 225-9114.